Treatment of peri-implant infections: a literature review.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the present paper is to review available information on the treatment of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The results of animal research and human studies are presented. Proposed strategies for the treatment of peri-implantitis presented in the literature are also included. RESULTS Most of the information accessible at this time derives from case reports. The reports provide evidence that efforts to reduce the submucosal infection may result in short-term improvements of the peri-implant lesion. They also indicate that regenerative procedures in intrabony peri-implant defects can result in the formation of new bone. CONCLUSIONS Several uncertainties remain regarding the treatment of peri-implantitis. Properly conducted long-term follow-ups of consecutively treated cases would seem to be a realistic avenue for accumulation of more information. This may assist in establishing the predictability, magnitude and stability of improvements that can be achieved.